Depending on the source, there are countless ways to make an absolute perfect cup of coffee. I certainly have many friends who love the java juice who have their special systems. I happen to think my way is pretty much up there with perfection, and that's thanks to the French press. For the perfect cup, I usually grind (not too fine, not too granular..but definitely from fresh whole beans) enough beans to fill about two fingers' worth of my Bodum carafe, and pour just freshly boiling water (as soon as the bubbles get to the high roll, I pour). Then, I stir with a chop stick, and wait four minutes before pressing the grounds to the bottom of the carafe. The best part, no waste. I simply put my used coffee grounds in the compost for my garden, rinse my carafe, and I'm good for another brew. No paper filters, no extra parts. Simple, beautiful, delicious, and yes, green.

If you'd like to taste a bit of perfection in your coffee, and relieve yourself of the need for coffee filters, I cannot recommend more highly the presses made by Bodum. They make equally fine presses for loose leaf, tea as well.